Two new candidates are in the race for Utah House District 28, which represents most of Tooele.
The seat was left open after Rep. Tim Jimenez withdrew his reelection bid in March. Jimenez served for one term and asked Nicholeen Peck to run as the Republican candidate in his stead.
Peck is an author and advocate for parental rights and religious freedom. Her nonprofit, Provo-based Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW), is affiliated with the far-right organization Family Watch International (FWI). FWI is designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
She’s running against democrat Fred Baker, a former Air Force officer and Army intelligence officer from Tooele.
The Salt Lake Tribune submitted the same set of questions, based on top issues readers said they were watching in this election, to each candidate. The questions and their answers that appear below — with the candidates listed in alphabetical order — may have been edited slightly for length, style or grammar. The questions were sent to candidates before a Utah judge voided multiple amendments from ballots.
Utah’s largest electricity provider has canceled plans to replace its coal-fired power plants with nuclear power and has walked back comments about investing in clean energy. Should Utah be looking for more sustainable and less fossil fuel and carbon-dependent energy sources? If so, how?
Fred Baker: The legislature should repeal the past session’s vote in favor of coal and encourage any and all non-carbon-based energy sources. Nuclear is fine.
Nicholeen Peck: Did not answer.
Water scarcity continues to be a challenge for the state. Recent legislation has attempted to conserve water and to get more water to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River. Should Utah do more to subsidize homeowners’ efforts to conserve water? What other steps should be taken to deal with water scarcity?
Baker: Utah should do all it can to increase conservation. Since taking water rights is likely illegal, the state should buy up water rights to afford a fairer and more productive use.
Peck: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Baker: Implement a minimum wage. It would not reduce housing prices, but it should increase the salaries of those who need housing.
Peck: Did not answer.
Following the Utah Supreme Court’s recent decision to keep a near-total abortion ban blocked, anti-abortion lawmakers and advocates called for additional legislative action to circumvent the court-ordered injunction. Would you support banning abortion after six weeks?
Baker: No.
Peck: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Baker: No.
Peck: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Baker: Reproductive health care is a medical consideration. Utah should embrace no regulations and leave the matter to physicians and their patients.
Peck: Did not answer.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Baker: I would vote against Amendment A. Any excess funds should be used to increase the salaries of teachers in the public school system, not to augment funds for private or parochial schools or homeschooling.
Peck: Did not answer.
A Utah judge has voided Amendment D and said votes for or against it cannot be counted, but the state is appealing. Do you support changing the Utah Constitution to guarantee that the Legislature can repeal or amend ballot initiatives?
Baker: No.
Peck: Did not answer.
